Trick or Treat 2018

In recent years Halloween has become one of my favourite days of the year as I just love getting dressed up and going out trick or treating with the kids. There is such a nice friendly vibe on the estate and it is so nice to see so many people out and about. It seems like everyone knows everyone and a lot of houses make such an impressive effort to decorate their houses etc. I tried my best to support the kids with the Trick or Treating this year but had to take it really slowly as I am still recovering from my hernia operation.

Unfortunately the two boys costumes did not arrive in time and so we had to rummage through the fancy dress cupboard to find some old ones that still fit. Fingers crossed their new costumes will arrive in time for Bonoween on Saturday. So Brandon wore an old zombie skeleton and Joshua had a mad scientist. Holly was the prettiest little bat girl, Tina had her old Cruella outfit on and I was wearing the Deadshot costume (from Suicide Squad). Whilst out trick or treating we got plenty of comments about how much effort we put in and how good the costumes all looked.

Holly was absolutely buzzing tonight and pretty much running from house to house. As you can see from the pictures, I think this has got to be a record haul for candy collection!!!!

Cruella, Bat Girl, Zombie Skeleton, Mad Scientist and Deadshot - ready for trick or treating.

The prettiest little bat girl ever.

Joshua the mad scientist.

The kids stuck to the unwritten rule to only knock on houses decorated or with pumpkins outside.

Scouring the streets of Wickford in search for more candy.

Half way around and Holly's bag is starting to look quite full already.

Lovely picture of the 3 kiddies with a beautiful and very friendly cat.

Me and Brandon. That is as much of a smile as I could get out of Brandon.

Holly making a quick getaway from one of the houses which she found a bit scary. He had a smoke machine, flashing lights and sound effects making it all very eerie.

One of the neighbours had a fab display set-up under a large gazebo and was giving out free light sticks to the kiddies.

Happy Holly with her record haul of sweets. I think she got 6 or 7 boxes of Smarties as well.

Brandon with his light stick and sweets.

Joshua had a somewhat smaller pile as he seemed to be eating them as quickly as he was getting them tonight!

Pumpkin Carving Halloween 2018

After visiting the pumpkin patch a week or two ago, we had plenty of pumpkins knocking around the house for the kiddies to carve and with me recently having had a hernia operation and being off of work, I had loads of free time to help them. Holly and Brandon did most of the scooping out and preparing of their pumpkins and then I carved the pattern which they both chose. Holly wanted a unicorn and Brandon wanted a Llama (which is apparently something from Fortnite). Holly then wanted to paint her unicorn pumpkin and if you ask me did a pretty amazing job.

Joshua has been busy with clubs this week and so I prepared his pumpkin and stencilled on his werewolf pattern, then he did about 75% of the carving himself. I have to say he has done a pretty good job of the carving and when lit up the werewolf does look pretty cool. I reckon only a couple more years and I won't be needed anymore for helping with the pumpkins as the kids will all be more than capable of doing them on their own.

For my own pumpkin design this year I chose to make an owl which was one of my Mum's favourite animals. To make this a bit more interesting and challenging I dried out the seeds and then glued them to the pumpkin to make the owl eyes and the owl wings. I think it came out pretty good in the end and the kids were well impressed.

Holly scooping out the guts of her pumpkin.

Felt tip pen design work on the inside!!!!!

This was cute as Holly got one of her dolls and helped her doll to draw on the pumpkin like a little baby.

Once I had carved Holly's unicorn she set to work with the acrylic paints to add some colour.

Concentrating hard and doing a wonderful job.

Holly's finished Unicorn pumpkin. About as scary as Brandon's llama!

Brandon also got this small white pumpkin which he painted his hamsters name on.

Joshua did most of the carving on his pumpkin for the first time.

I think he regretted picking a quite difficult werewolf pattern which took quite a bit of time to carve.

Holly's unicorn all lit up (before painting).

My owl pumpkin lit up.

With the flash on you can see the seed eyes and wings better.

Brandon's really spooky and scary Fortnite llama.

I have to say Joshua has done a pretty amazing job and his werewolf looks really cool.

Holly's painted unicorn.

All our pumpkins lit up and ready for Halloween.

I think out of the 4 of them, all 4 kids beat me this year.

Joshua's Go-Karting Party

Last Wednesday Joshua celebrated his 11th birthday with a few of his friends (Ethan and Tom) by having a karting party at the new'ish indoor karting track which has opened over Bas Vegas. We decided to book the indoor course as opposed to Lakeside as you can never tell what the weather is like in October so we felt the indoor venue would be a safer bet.

The facility is pretty amazing with a good length and very challenging track which covers two floors of the building. During the session the boys got to have 6 lots of 10 minute races out on the track, and then finished off the party with a pizza lunch. They all had an absolute blast and came away pumped up and sweaty after 3 hours at the track venue. 

Brandon started the first few sessions a bit apprehensive as he got to grips with the track, but by the 4th, 5th and 6th session he was absolutely flying and with the power to weight ratio advantage, none of the others could touch him. But fastest lap of the day out of the 4 boys came from Ethan who just pipped Brandon for the quickest time.

Tom and Ethan then came back to our for a sleep over and more pizza. The kids also all dived in the jacuzzi for an hour or so which was chaos and resulted in the whole decking getting a good soaking.

All the boys forgot the balaclava's so I got them the cheap under helmet nappies!!!!

Joshua, Tom, Brandon and Ethan ready to start karting.

And without their nappies n their heads.

Sitting in the cafe area overlooking the upper deck of the track.

The karts all lined up and ready to go.

Brandon getting used to the track.

Joshua in action.

Turning in to the apex nicely.

Another shot of B, he got quicker as the sessions went on.

Rare occasion of Josh and B on the same bit of track.

This is the up ramp from the lower to upper deck.

Coming around the straight on the lower deck.

The boys all pumped up and full of it as they finish their first session on the track.

Helmets on and ready to hit the track again.

More track action.

Brandon slowing up yo pull in to the pits.

In to the pits comes Josh after another race.

Ethan, Tom and Josh chilling in the cafe waiting for their next session.

Love this shot of B in his race attire.

Speeding around the corner at the end of the lower straight.

Side by side racing action in the final round.

In the 6th and final race Brandon was unstoppable, Tom pushed him hard but could only manage second, Ethan 3rd and Josh a very close 4th.

Ethan, Tom and Josh chilling in the jacuzzi after their morning of karting.

Then their relaxing jacuzzi time is made chaos with Holly and Brandon joining them.